Assessment of Post-Harvest Technology and Rice Farmers Income in Ekiti State

A major problem with the domestic output of rice in Nigeria is the poor operational techniques of processors which often aids low production. Efforts of government through the agricultural development project (ADP) to improve rice processing especially in Ekiti state have proven ineffective. The study therefore, examines the assessment of post-harvest technology of rice in ekiti state. The study makes use of 80 respondents’ farmers and processors in Igbemo-ekiti, using a purposive, snowball and random sampling techniques. The data collected from the study were analyzed using the frequency and percentage tables and budgetary technique. The study reveals that male respondents constitute 55% with 71.3% no of year spent in school and majorities (75%) of the respondents are within the economically active age that favour processing activities. Meanwhile, the adopted processing technologies in the study area are primitive ones and modern processing technology is most profitable with gross margin of ₦9,850 and ₦1.34k as return on investment. Much earning flows in with the use of modern technology; thus, there should be an effort of private bodies, government, farmers and processors to increase output through the use of various modern technologies. Keywords: Rice Farmers, Income, Technologies, Post-harvest DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-2-02 Publication date: February 29th 202

Effect of discharges from re-channeled rivers and municipal runoff on water quality of Opa reservoir, Ile- Ife, Southwest Nigeria

Over the years, there is a direct linkage of township drains and streams to the Opa reservoir, Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Hence the spatial and temporal variations of the reservoir’s water quality were studied between November 2012 and October 2013 to investigate the effect of these discharges on these. Physical, chemical as well as the oxygen parameters of the water were investigated using standard techniques. The parameters determined revealed considerable temporal variations with the rainy season averaged concentration of COD, TOC, OM, TSS, TS, turbidity, apparent colour, true colour, sodium, and phosphate significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of the dry season. Spatially, DO, TSS,TS, organic matter and TOC decreased significantly (p<0.05) from riverine to the  lacustrine (dam site). However, calcium, sulphate, and electrical conductivity showed significant increases (p<0.05) from the riverine zone section towards the dam site. Vertically, sulphate, bicarbonate, COD, TOC, chloride, TSS, TS, turbidity, apparent colour, true colour and sodium ion values increased significantly (p<0.05) from the surface down to the bottom. Conversely, magnesium, total hardness, nitrate, BOD, DO, electrical conductivity, acidity, carbonate, alkalinity, TDS and pH values decreased (p<0.05) from water surface to the bottom of the reservoir. Therefore, the discharges from the catchment area of Opa reservoir could pose a level of risk to the aquatic ecosystem as well as the community if not well treated before being supplied.Key words: Spatial, temporal, water quality, zones, risk level, source

A Methodology for Measuring the Property Flood Resilience (PFR) of Households at the Risk of Flooding

The risks of flooding have been ever present for homes located in flood plains or close to coastal areas. Surface water flooding and flash flooding in urban areas means that homes located away from flood plains and coastal areas may also be exposed to flooding. While some of these homes have developed a level of resilience over time, many have very poor, inadequate or lack any level of resilience to flooding. This raises the questions as to what level of resilience is appropriate; how best to quantify flood resilience at the level of the individual homes; and what steps to take to improve resilience. However, despite the current focus on resilience within UK flood risk management policy and strategy, no accepted definition for the term exists and, more significantly, there is a lack of a general measurement framework for determining the level of flood resilience for an individual home. Hence, the aim of this research is to develop a model for reliably measuring the level of resilience present in individual homes at risk of flooding. In order to establish the framework for this research, a comprehensive literature review was conducted on the concept of resilience and flood risk management in the context of households. Based on a synthesis of the literature, a conceptual framework of Property Flood Resilience (PFR) at the household level was developed which comprises both building and human components. A quantitative research methodology was employed towards testing the design and validity of the PFR framework, with data collected through a questionnaire survey of homeowners who have experienced flood events on their properties. Different sets of analyses were performed on the data collected, including the normality test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), correlation analysis, and regression analysis. The overall PFR was modelled with the building and human resilience using multiple linear regression, and from this model it can be inferred that building and human resilience significantly predicts the level of the overall PFR. Further, building resilience were found to be positively and significantly associated with human resilience (at r = 0.407). This implies that increases in the resilience of the building component will result in an increase in the human resilience and ultimately increase in the overall resilience of the individual household. The PFR model developed provides valuable information on the flood resilience levels currently present in the home for the benefit of homeowners. It also provides property experts and surveyors with a tool to estimate resilience levels within a property, enabling them to provide impartial and professional advice on risk exposure and measures that can be adopted to help further protect properties. The model also serves as an evidence based tool to inform insurers on the levels of resilience present within a given property and to consider how this might affect insurance premiums and excesses which will in turn improve the role of flood insurance as a market-based incentive, and to complement Government‘s effort in encouraging homeowners to invest in PFR

Contamination Of Sachet Water Produced Within Industrial Area Of Ikeja, Lagos Nigeria.

Industries produce a lot of pollutants and effluent which have effects on the quality of earth water. The effect of these pollutants and industrial effluent in sachet water produced in industrial area of Ikeja was studied. This was done by assessing the physical parameters and inorganic constituents. Six samples of sachet water produced within Ikeja were randomly purchased from the open market and were examined in the course of the study. Results obtained showed that the samples were odorless and tasteless. The turbidity varied between 0.11 to 0.91NTU. The conductivity ranged from 309 to 642?s, while pH ranged from 4.96 to 6.5. It was observed that the sachet water samples were acidic and high in calcium and magnesium ions probably due to the discharged from the industries. Keywords: Effluent, Industry, Pollutants, Sachet water

Economic Analysis of Market Performance of Fresh Fish in Lagos State, Nigeria

This study analysed the market performance of fresh fish marketing in Lagos state, Nigeria. It critically focused on ascertaining the market structure, determining the profitability of fish marketing and determining the marketing efficiency of fresh fish marketing in the study area. Multistage sampling procedure was used to sample 80 fresh fish marketers from Lagos state. The data collected for the study were analysed using Gini coefficient, budgetary technique and shepherd efficiency model. The study revealed that there was inequality in the income distribution among the fresh fish marketers with Gini coefficient of 0.78, it further shows that fresh fish marketing is profitable with gross margin of #27,101.36 and that fish marketing activities among fish marketers is highly efficient (517.5%). Thus, government should help in the provision of a soft loan to the marketers so as to promote fresh fish marketing being a profitable and efficient business

Profitability and Marketing Efficiency of Smoked Fish: An Empirical Evidence from Ondo State, Nigeria

The level of efficiency and profitability of the market and marketing functions are very important for sustainable marketing of agricultural products like fish. To ensure continuous availability of fish for human consumption, nutrition, and wellbeing, the Nigerian economy requires effective and efficient marketing systems. Fish marketing serves as a medium for bridging the gap between producers and consumers of fish. The study considers 80 fish marketers from Ondo state using purposive sampling technique. The data collected for the study were analysed using budgetary technique and shepherd efficiency model. The study revealed that fish marketing is profitable with gross margin of #38,101.36 and 15k as return on investment. The shepherd efficiency model revealed that fish marketing activities among fish marketers is highly efficient with efficiency value far higher (558.0%) than 100% deducing that an increase in the cost of performing marketing service (that is added time, form and place utility) by 100 percent will give a more than proportionate increase of 458.0 percent in the level of satisfaction derived from a kilogram of fish sold in the market. It was recommended that government should focus on policy that encourages farmers and young graduates in the business as it is noted for profitability, efficiency and a source of livelihood. Keywords: Profitability, Marketing, Efficiency, Fish DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/58-04 Publication date:July 31st 201

Effect of Computerization on Banks’ Performance in Quoted Nigerian Banking Sector

The effect of computerization in banks became of concern to the researcher as its adoption in banking sector and its application has become a major concern to all banks who are deliberating on whether to fully go technological or use partial manual and technology. This study aim to examine the effect of e- banking on ROA of which a survey was carried out on three banks listed on the Nigerian stock Exchange, using panel data of 10 years ranging from 2009 – 2018; while ATM value and volume were used as measurement tool for e-banking, ROA were used as a tool for bank performance. Descriptive analysis was used to ascertain the mean (1.865608; ATM volume, 666288.8; ATM value, 4.514933; ROA) median, Maximum, Minimum. Correlation was carried out and a positive and strong relationship between ATM volume and Value with the performance indicators of selected banks in Nigeria were generated.Regression was carried out on all variables, and hausman test was used to determine which of either pool, random and fixed model to pick, and fixed was picked. Using fixed regression on the effect of e-banking on ROA, the result of the estimated model shows that (ROA) has positive relationship and statistically significant effect on ATM volume in the long run.The work suggests that Management of Nigerian quoted banks should increase their commitments into e- banking channels in order to improve returns from their business transaction.Keywords: Computerization, Technology, E- Banking, Measurement, Performance. DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/11-16-17 Publication date:August 31st 202

The Knowledge Attitude and Practice of Contraceptives by Undergraduates in Lagos Nigeria.

There is a high mortality rate associated with teenage pregnancy, abortion and complications related to abortion among university undergraduates. The awareness and practice of contraception such as; natural method, barrier method, hormonal method and traditional method were studied among university undergraduates in Lagos state using structured questionnaire. Sources of information on contraception were also studied alongside choice and use of contraceptive among undergraduates. The result showed that the major source of information on contraceptives was peer group followed by electronic media, parental contribution on this issue was low. 98% of our respondents had good knowledge about contraceptives, their attitude towards contraceptive was also positive but its use was low with only about 54% practicing contraception and this is probably due to discrimination against adolescent and young adults by family planning providers and low parental influence on contraceptives. Keywords: Awareness, Contraceptives, Practice, Undergraduates

Stapedotomy and its effect on hearing – our experience with 54 cases

Introduction: This study reviews the cases of stapedotomy and evaluates its effectiveness at improving hearing loss in patients with otosclerosis.Materials and methods: Retrospective review of patients’ records who had clinical and audiometric diagnosis of otosclerosis from January to December 2012Results: A total of 54 stapedotomy surgeries (52 unilateral and 1 bilateral surgeries) were received. Average post-operative ABG for 0.5, 1, 2 and 4 KHz showed that 61.1% had complete closure of ABG ( ABG < 10 dB) compared with 1.6% preoperatively and 85.2% had closure of ABG to within 20dB compared with 4.7% preoperatively (t – 13.89, p = 0.000). More than 94% had hearing improvement and 81.5% had ABG closure greater than 10 dB postoperatively (mean gain 23.38 ± 12.37, t = 13.89, p = 0.000). A total of 13% complications were recorded with TM perforation (5.6%) being the commonest complication.Conclusion: Stapedotomy is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of otosclerosis which leads to improvement in patients’ quality of life. A favorable hearing outcome can be obtained by the combination of experienced hands with minimal surgical trauma and appropriate surgical technique.Keywords: Otosclerosis, Stapedotomy, conductive hearing loss, air-bone ga

Sub-clinical middle ear malfunctions in elderly patients; prevalence, pattern and predictors

Background: Little is known about functioning of the middle ear with advancing age.Objectives: To estimate the prevalence and describe tympanometric patterns of sub-clinical middle ear malfunctions,( S-MEM) in elderly patients. It also assessed clinical factors that could predict S-MEM.Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical study of patients aged ≥ 60 years in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria between 2011-2014. Pure tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry and acoustic reflexes were recorded. S-MEM was based on audiometric and tympanometric evident abnormalities. Descriptive, univariate and multivariate analyses performed to detect independent clinical predictors of S-MEM at p-value of <0.05.Results: 121 patients , M: F of 1.1:1. Mean age was 70.1 ± 6.2 years, 77.7% were married. Prevalence of S-MEM was 21.5%. Abnormal tympanometric tracings were type AS>C>B>AD. The parameters that were statistically-significant on univariate analyses were subjected to logistic regression analysis which confirmed previous head injury, diabetes, osteoarthritis of knee joint, and absent acoustic reflex as clinical predictors for S-MEM.Conclusion: 21.5% of elderly Africans had subclinical abnormalities in their middle ear functioning, mostly with type AS tympanogram. Independent clinical predictors of S-MEM included previous head injury, diabetes, history of osteoarthritis of knee joints, and absent acoustic reflex.Keywords: Middle ear malfunctions, elderly patients